Hammerhead 54 Trimaran

PerformanceHammerhead's sailing performance is extraordinary. She can lope along at an easy 20 knots with mainsail and jib alone. I have seen extended periods of STEADY 19 to 20 knots of boat speed with a single reefed main and full jib, beam reaching in approximately 20 knots of wind. Steering in these conditions was a one handed affair. At high speed the helm is easy and balanced with absolutely no feeling of loosing control. Hammerhead is capable of sailing at 24 to 25 knots without surfing and without a spinnaker. Hammerhead will easily out sail production catamarans and trimarans, in any conditions.Hammerhead's windward ability is excellent. With her centerboard down draft of 9' she has the ability to drive to windward like a freight train. In moderate conditions she will tack inside of 80 degrees making 8 to 10 knots through the water. As wind speed increases the fastest way to windward is to open up the tacking angle slightly to build more speed- which offsets the greater distance. Boat speeds of 11 to 12 knots hard on the wind can be achieved with proper sail trim. All of this is achieved with a masthead height under 65' so that Hammerhead will clear the numerous fixed bridges on the eastern U.S. and gulf coasts allowing unimpeded travel through most of the Intracoastal Waterway and other important harbors.In ocean conditions her motion through the water is very comfortable. The narrow forebody can slice through waves at high speed without pounding. Downwind she is steady as a rock with minimal roll and yaw.Single and short handing is easy with this trimaran. All sail controls are led to the secure midship cockpit. Hammerhead, on her first single handed passage, averaged 235 miles per day while sailing conservatively from the Chesapeake Bay to Bermuda.

AccomodationHammerhead incorporates a very comfortable tri-cabin layout that provides a large galley and saloon with a fantastic view, a double cabin forward with it's own spacious head and shower. The private aft cabin with ensuite head and shower and ample storage space provides the space and privacy normally associated only with large catamarans.For additional crew, the main salon has 2 seats that easily convert to single berths, or 1 single and one double; as many as 7 can be accommodated overnight.

Shoal DraftTwenty nine inches, less than 2 1/2 feet of water is all it takes to float Hammerhead! With a pivoting centerboard and a retracting rudder the shallow draft of the hull can be fully exploited. Vast areas of the Bahamas become "cruisable", secure hurricane holes are easier to find, over-crowded anchorages can be left behind for secluded coves inaccessible to most boats.The pivoting centerboard is contained in a trunk located beneath the cabin sole and does not impede interior space. The board itself is positively buoyant so that it floats upward into the trunk if the pull down control is released. Up and down controls are led to a simple self tailing sheet winch in the cockpit. Except for the way Hammerhead tracks to windward you'll never know the board is there. In order to make sallow draft practical the rudder must also retract. Her rudder will retract automatically upon impact with the bottom or any submerged object thereby preventing rudder damage. In addition the rudder can be steered while retracted. This allows the rudder to be retracted to the draft of the hull and still be functional. Hammerhead can be sailed or motored in 2.5' of depth!

Turbo-Diesel PowerWhen the wind quits a 62 horsepower Yanmar turbo charged diesel engine takes up the slack. With a power cruise speed of 10 knots you will cover ground at a rapid pace.Sailing to windward in very strong winds under a combination of deeply reefed sails and engine is a pleasant, and awe inspiring experience. Motor sailing to windward at 11 knots with 45 knots of apparent wind over the deck is unforgettable and a genuine display of the vast capabilities and versatility of this design.

If there is another boat that offers better performance, comfort, seaworthiness and versatility I have never seen or heard of it. She is truly a "breakthrough" boat that will compare well with any boat from any designer at any price.